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In many ways, Barry, that photograph of the Porsche, Talbot Lago, and Packard is so representative of the kaleidoscopic variety that composes the world of automobiles. From large and imposing, heavy and powerful, to light and nimble and moderately powered, and those in between, they cover a lot of philosophical, engineering, and technical ground. Those 3 cars represent what I love so much about automobiles. One can study them for one's entire life, and still not get to the end of the story. I like that.

I enjoy looking at a photograph of 2 1930s cars such as the one above, and placing myself, mentally, back in the mid-thirties, as a car enthusiast, and absolutely marvelling at the way automobiles, and automotive design, have progressed in just a few short years. Those two cars, just 5 or so years apart, look like they're from different planets. An amazing decade.

That's mostly true, but in any case the point still stands. The general population of automobiles largely reflected a similar degree of great progress during those years, on all fronts. For example, all automobiles, from the cheapest to the mightiest, still rolled along on cart-spring suspension systems in 1930 (except for Lancia, of course ), while, by 1935, independent front A-arm/coil spring front suspension was becoming commonplace on GM cars, and other makes, too. Hydraulic braking was mandatory for any contemporary car by '35, except for Henry's cars, of course, and this was a HUGE leap in automotive safety/drivability/comfort/control over the old cable or rod actuated brakes that were prevalent just a few years earlier.

If only the front wheels were covered to match the back. It would be perfect

"The very powerful and the very stupid have one thing in common. Instead of altering their views to fit the facts, they alter the facts to fit their views...which can be very uncomfortable if you happen to be one of the facts that needs altering."
- Doctor Who (Fourth Doctor) "Face of Evil"

Well widen the front pontoons a few inches. Do I gotta think of everything around here?

"The very powerful and the very stupid have one thing in common. Instead of altering their views to fit the facts, they alter the facts to fit their views...which can be very uncomfortable if you happen to be one of the facts that needs altering."
- Doctor Who (Fourth Doctor) "Face of Evil"

"The very powerful and the very stupid have one thing in common. Instead of altering their views to fit the facts, they alter the facts to fit their views...which can be very uncomfortable if you happen to be one of the facts that needs altering."
- Doctor Who (Fourth Doctor) "Face of Evil"

In order to have any turning radius at all the wheels had to be set way inboard, giving it kind of a retarded look from the front and rear. The early 356 was like that, too, its least attractive feature.

Look behind the Scarab. We both received nearly the highest awards at Eyes on Design in 2003. We received the "Automotive Design of Exceptional Merit". Mine was awarded by Tom Gale, Chrysler designer. I cherish that award above all others.

That is a very cool show. It benefits the Detroit Institute of Opthalmology, featuring judging by a group of white-gloved blind people. They pick some some interesting automobiles. I get almost the same feedback when polishing my cars that are sculptural, like the Porsche. I know the car so well, I could probably wax it blindfolded.

Always great to hear some of the background bits and pieces of these showcase venues.

And always fun to see the photos of the strange creations, as in that black stealth auto.

Even though I've seen pictures of it before, it's really amazing to look at from several different angles

That Phantom Corsair is simply super-slick~!!

(though I'm not quite sure the name Scarab is the correct identifier, perhaps you are using Scarab more as a describer of another beetle shape)

Originally Posted by mitch hedberg

I drive a rental car, I don't know what's going on with it, right? So a lot of times I'll drive for like 10 miles with the emergency brake on. That doesn't say a lot for me, but it really doesn't say a lot for the emergency brake.

Originally Posted by Robstr

How hard is that to understand without getting your panties in a bunch?
Surely some of you guys managed to make it out of middle school.

The extreme solution to the problem of steered wheels covered by sheetmetal was taken most famously by Nash, when they built the aerodynamically designed Airflyte for 1949. The front track was inordinately narrow; much narrower than the rear track, and even so, the maximum angle the steered wheels could take was very shallow, which made these cars difficult in U-turns and certain parking situations. But Nils Walberg, Nash's visionary chief engineer, went ahead with the project, compromises and all, in the interest of advancing automotive aerodynamics and efficiency via the shrouding of all four wheels in a smooth enclosure:

In recent years, Ford Motor Company revisited the possibilities of shrouded steered wheels with its major concept showcase of the early eighties, the Probe IV. With this car, the front wheels steered normally, and had "hat" inner fenders that enclosed the wheels to mid-point. The outer skin adjacent to the tire and wheel was made of a flexible polymer that the hat, when the wheels were steered into the outer skin, would cause to stretch out of the way, and then resume its original profile when the wheels straightened out. Oddball, but interesting:

In recent years, Ford Motor Company revisited the possibilities of shrouded steered wheels with its major concept showcase of the early eighties, the Probe IV. With this car, the front wheels steered normally, and had "hat" inner fenders that enclosed the wheels to mid-point. The outer skin adjacent to the tire and wheel was made of a flexible polymer that the hat, when the wheels were steered into the outer skin, would cause to stretch out of the way, and then resume its original profile when the wheels straightened out. Oddball, but interesting:

I remember that layout and almost mentioned that. I don't think I've ever seen the actual photos of the car, I've only seen the plan drawings (In Popular Mechanics, I think). It's a very ingenious solution in my opinion.

My friends with 'exotic' cars are driving things like old Triumphs, MR2s and 356s. I don't know anyone with anything as wacky as a Stout Scarab.

He owns the body shop that resurrected our flattened Porsche. Actually, he owns a chain of high-end body shops. My Porsche was always in good company. I would stop in and see the progress on the Scarab. I believe he told me that his car was used as a map vehicle for US command during WWII. It may have been BS, but it makes a great story. It had a flathead Ford in the rear and a woven bamboo headliner. It appeared to me to be a very early minivan.

I've seen him buy a classic or sports car, just to keep his top employees busy during slack times. His cars are perfect and he has a Ferrari in his foyer. What's not to like?